LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its Athletes of the Week for September 8, 2026. Today will include Athletes of the Week for Men’s and Women’s Cross Country.
This week’s selections included contests from through Sunday, September 6. A total of two student-athletes from two different member institutions were recognized for their performances.
Men’s Cross Country
Runner of the Week
Sevan Ikeda / SO / Gallaudet University / Fremont, Ca. / California School for the Deaf-Fremont
Defending United East champion Sevan Ikeda opened his sophomore campaign with an impressive runner-up finish in a field of 155 competitors at the Dutchmen Invitational. Ikeda completed the 8K course in 25:56.0, finishing just 10.6 seconds behind the individual champion while recording the fifth-fastest 8K time in Gallaudet University men’s cross country history. Ikeda was also the top finisher among all United East runners competing at the meet.
Women’s Cross Country
Runner of the Week
MaKayla Reichel / SO / Penn State Harrisburg / Landisville, Pa. / Hempfield
Reigning United East Rookie of the Year MaKayla Reichel opened the season with a record-setting performance for Penn State Harrisburg at the Dutchmen Invitational. Reichel finished fifth overall among 138 collegiate runners, completing the 5K course in a program-record time of 19:32.8. She was the third-highest Division III finisher in the field and crossed the line just 13 seconds behind individual champion Maya Carey of Hood.
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The United East boasts 13 NCAA Division III full-member institutions: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wilson College. For more information, visit gounitedeast.com.